An NFC-enabled device configured at least in part as an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including a controller and a plurality of capacitors. The controller is operable to control one or more of the plurality of capacitors to vary an operating parameter of the NFC-enabled device.
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1. A near field communications (NFC)-enabled device, comprising: a magnetic field sensor configured to sense a magnetic field strength to provide a sensed field strength signal; and a controller configured to vary an operating parameter of the NFC-enabled device in response to the sensed field strength signal using a peak detection process, the controller being further configured to: change the operating parameter in a plurality of increments until a final increment adversely affects the operating parameter; and set the operating parameter to an increment immediately before the final increment; wherein the magnetic field sensor is further configured to generate the sensed field strength signal to cause the controller to vary the operating parameter when the magnetic field strength is less than a threshold.
An NFC device self-tunes for optimal performance. It uses a magnetic field sensor to measure the strength of the incoming NFC signal. When the signal is weak (below a threshold), a controller automatically adjusts an operating parameter of the device, such as voltage or current. The controller uses a "peak detection" process, iteratively adjusting the parameter in small steps. It continues until a further adjustment degrades performance. The controller then sets the parameter to the setting immediately before the degradation occurred, achieving a "peak" performance point.
2. The NFC-enabled device of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of capacitors, coupled to the controller, at least one of the plurality of capacitors being configurable to be activated or deactivated by the controller to vary the operating parameter.
The NFC device described above further incorporates a set of capacitors connected to the controller. The controller activates or deactivates individual capacitors to fine-tune the operating parameter of the NFC device. By switching capacitors in and out of the circuit, the controller changes the overall capacitance and thereby adjusts a characteristic, such as induced voltage, for optimal signal reception.
3. The NFC-enabled device of claim 2 , further comprising: a plurality of switches, each switch from among the plurality of switches being associated with at least one capacitor from among the plurality of capacitors, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of the plurality of switches to activate or deactivate its associated at least one capacitor to vary the operating parameter.
The NFC device with self-tuning capability and adjustable capacitors includes a set of electronic switches. Each switch is paired with one or more of the capacitors. The controller operates these switches to activate or deactivate their associated capacitors. By individually controlling these switches, the controller dynamically configures the capacitance of the NFC device, precisely adjusting its operating parameter based on the sensed magnetic field strength to maximize performance.
4. The NFC-enabled device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one capacitor comprises: first and second conductive track portions provided in a common layer of the NFC -enabled device, the first and second conductive track portions being spaced from one another to form, respectively, first and second electrodes of a first capacitor.
In the NFC device, at least one of the adjustable capacitors is constructed from conductive tracks on a single layer of the device. Two conductive track sections are spaced apart to create a capacitor. These spaced sections serve as the capacitor's two electrodes. This design allows for compact capacitor implementation within the NFC device's integrated circuit.
5. The NFC-enabled device of claim 4 , wherein the first and second electrodes each include a plurality of transversely extending spaced conducting tabs, the first and second electrodes being arranged such that the plurality of transversely extending spaced conducting tabs of the first electrode are interleaved with the plurality of transversely extending spaced conducting tabs of the second electrode.
The capacitor design, based on conductive tracks, uses interleaved tabs for increased capacitance. Each electrode (conductive track section) consists of multiple, spaced, transversely extending tabs. The tabs from one electrode are arranged to fit between the tabs of the other electrode. This interdigitated arrangement maximizes the surface area between the electrodes, boosting the capacitor's capacitance within a small area of the NFC device.
6. The NFC-enabled device of claim 4 , further comprising: third and fourth conductive track portions provided in a second common layer of the NFC-enabled device that is different from the common layer and which is spaced therefrom by an insulating layer, the third and fourth conductive track portions being spaced from one another to form, respectively, first and second electrodes of a second capacitor from among the plurality of capacitors.
The conductive-track capacitor design can also use multiple layers. Two conductive track portions are formed on one layer, and two more are formed on a different layer, separated by an insulating layer. Each layer forms a separate capacitor. The two capacitors created in this manner are part of the overall set of tuneable capacitors within the NFC device.
7. The NFC-enabled device of claim 6 , wherein the first electrode of the first capacitor is coupled to the first electrode of the second capacitor, and the second electrode of the first capacitor is coupled to the second electrode of the second capacitor, the first and the second capacitors being arranged one above the other such that laterally extending tabs of the first capacitor overlie laterally extending tabs of the second capacitor.
The multilayer capacitor design described above connects the capacitors in parallel. The first electrode of the first capacitor (top layer) is connected to the first electrode of the second capacitor (bottom layer), and similarly, the second electrodes are connected. The laterally extending tabs of the top capacitor overlap the laterally extending tabs of the bottom capacitor. This arrangement maximizes the use of vertical space and increases overall capacitance.
8. The NFC-enabled device of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of capacitors comprises: a fixed capacitor; and a plurality of switchable capacitors in parallel with the fixed capacitor.
The set of adjustable capacitors in the NFC device consists of a fixed-value capacitor and a number of switchable capacitors connected in parallel. The controller can switch the additional capacitors in or out to alter the total capacitance. The combination of a fixed capacitor with switchable capacitors provides a method for adjusting the capacitance of the NFC device.
9. The NFC-enabled device of claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter comprises at least one of: an induced voltage; and an induced current.
The "operating parameter" that the controller adjusts in the NFC device is either the induced voltage or the induced current within the device. By varying the capacitance, the controller effectively tunes either the voltage or current to improve signal reception or transmission.
10. The NFC-enabled device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to implement the peak detection process using a proportional, integral, differential (PID) processing algorithm, the PID processing algorithm being represented by: PE ( t ) + 1 I ∫ E ( t ) ⅆ ( t ) + D ⅆ ⅆ t E ( t ) , wherein t is a time, E is the sensed field strength signal, P is a proportional error, I is an integral of an error, and D is a derivative of the error.
The "peak detection" process used by the controller to find the optimal operating parameter is implemented using a Proportional, Integral, Derivative (PID) control algorithm. The algorithm uses the sensed field strength as input. The formula given defines how the error signal (difference between desired and actual field strength) is processed, where `P` corrects for immediate errors, `I` corrects for accumulated errors, and `D` anticipates future errors.
11. The NFC-enabled device of claim 1 , further comprising: an inductive coupler; wherein the controller is further configured to vary the operating parameter of the NFC-enabled device to vary a resonant frequency of the inductive coupler.
The NFC device includes an inductive coupler (antenna). The controller adjusts the operating parameter, which in turn varies the resonant frequency of the inductive coupler. By matching the resonant frequency of the antenna to the frequency of the incoming NFC signal, the device optimizes signal transfer and improves performance.
12. A method of operating a near field communications (NFC) -enabled device, comprising: generating a magnetic field strength signal from a detected magnetic field near the NFC-enabled device when the magnetic field strength signal is less than a threshold; adjusting a capacitance of a plurality of capacitors by a first increment to vary an operating parameter of the NFC-enabled device upon receipt of the magnetic field strength signal; adjusting the capacitance of the plurality of capacitors by a second increment to vary the operating parameter; and determining whether the second increment adversely affects the operating parameter when compared to the first increment.
A method for tuning an NFC device involves continuously optimizing its performance. The device first detects the strength of a nearby magnetic field. If the field strength is below a certain threshold, it automatically adjusts the capacitance using a set of capacitors. The method involves incrementally changing the capacitance and evaluating the effect of each change on the overall performance, ensuring optimal operation.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising: adjusting the capacitance by the first increment when the second increment adversely affects the operating parameter.
The method for tuning an NFC device includes a check for detrimental effects. If an adjustment to the capacitance reduces performance (as described in the tuning process involving incremental adjustments), the device reverts to the previous capacitance setting which provided better performance.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising: adjusting the capacitance of the plurality of capacitors by a third increment to vary the operating parameter when the second increment does poi adversely affect the operating parameter.
During the NFC device tuning process, if a change to the capacitance improves performance, the method proceeds by making further adjustments. It continually tests new capacitance values, as described in the main tuning method. This iterative approach aims to discover the best performance configuration for the NFC device.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining comprises: determining a first and a second magnetic field strength in response to the first and second increments, respectively; and comparing the first magnetic field strength and the second magnetic field strength to determine whether the second increment adversely affects the operating parameter.
The method for optimizing the NFC device involves comparing magnetic field strength before and after capacitance adjustments. First, the magnetic field strength is measured with an initial capacitance setting. Then, the capacitance is changed, and the magnetic field strength is measured again. Comparing the two field strength measurements indicates whether the capacitance adjustment had a positive or negative impact on performance.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the adjusting the capacitance by the first increment comprises: adjusting the capacitance by the first increment to vary a resonant frequency of an inductive coupler.
A key part of the NFC tuning method involves adjusting the capacitance to influence the resonant frequency of an inductive coupler (antenna). By altering the capacitance in small steps, the device aligns the antenna's resonant frequency with the incoming NFC signal frequency. This ensures maximum power transfer and optimal signal reception.
17. A near field communications (NFC)-enabled device, comprising: an inductive coupler configured to inductively receive a signal; a magnetic field sensor configured to sense a magnetic field strength of the signal; a controller configured to vary an operating parameter of the NFC-enabled device in response to the magnetic field strength using a peak detection process, the controller being further configured to: change the operating parameter in a plurality of increments until a final increment adversely affects the operating parameter; and set the operating parameter to an increment immediately before the final increment; wherein the magnetic field sensor is further configured to generate a sensed field strength signal from the sensed magnetic field strength to cause the controller to vary the operating parameter when the magnetic field strength is less than a threshold.
An NFC device utilizes an inductive coupler (antenna) to receive signals. It also includes a magnetic field sensor to measure the incoming signal's strength. A controller then adjusts an operating parameter based on this measured field strength, striving for optimal performance. The controller incrementally changes the operating parameter until a further adjustment negatively impacts performance. The controller then reverts to the previous setting, resulting in "peak" performance. This tuning process only engages when the detected field strength falls below a defined threshold.
18. The NFC-enabled device of claim 17 , further comprising: a plurality of capacitors, coupled to the controller, at least one of the plurality of capacitors being configurable to be activated or deactivated by the controller to vary the operating parameter.
The NFC device described above incorporates a set of capacitors connected to the controller. The controller activates or deactivates individual capacitors to fine-tune the operating parameter of the NFC device. By switching capacitors in and out of the circuit, the controller changes the overall capacitance and thereby adjusts a characteristic, such as induced voltage, for optimal signal reception.
19. The NFC-enabled device of claim 18 , further comprising: a plurality of switches, each switch from among the plurality of switches being associated with at least one capacitor from among the plurality of capacitors, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of the plurality of switches to activate or deactivate its associated at least one capacitor to vary the operating parameter.
The NFC device with self-tuning capability and adjustable capacitors includes a set of electronic switches. Each switch is paired with one or more of the capacitors. The controller operates these switches to activate or deactivate their associated capacitors. By individually controlling these switches, the controller dynamically configures the capacitance of the NFC device, precisely adjusting its operating parameter based on the sensed magnetic field strength to maximize performance.
20. The NFC-enabled device of claim 18 wherein the plurality of capacitors comprises: a fixed capacitor; and a plurality of switchable capacitors in parallel with the fixed capacitor.
The set of adjustable capacitors in the NFC device consists of a fixed-value capacitor and a number of switchable capacitors connected in parallel. The controller can switch the additional capacitors in or out to alter the total capacitance. The combination of a fixed capacitor with switchable capacitors provides a method for adjusting the capacitance of the NFC device.
21. The NFC-enabled device of claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to vary the operating parameter of the NFC-enabled device to vary a resonant frequency of the inductive coupler.
In this NFC device, the controller adjusts the operating parameter specifically to modify the resonant frequency of the inductive coupler (antenna). By varying this frequency, the device optimizes its ability to receive signals effectively. The goal is to match the resonant frequency to the frequency of incoming signals, improving power transfer and overall performance.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 27, 2012
August 6, 2013
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